HIF-1A Expression in Placenta of Pregnancies Complicated with Preeclampsia and Fetal Growth Restriction

Background: The worldwide prevalence of FGR is about 13% and can lead to various adverse perinatal outcomes, including preterm birth, stillbirth, and neonatal mortality. Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 (HIF-1) is an important regulator of oxygen homeostasis in humans and is crucial for placental development. The aim of this study is to determine the pattern of HIF-1A expression in placenta, and to correlate its association with preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction and adverse perinatal outcomes. Methods: This study comprised a total of 158 cases with 42 cases of mother having babies with fetal growth restriction (FGR), 39 cases of mother with preeclampsia (PE), 35 cases of mother with preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction and 42 controls. The expression of HIF-1A was evaluated in various placental cell types, including cytotrophoblasts, syncytiotrophoblasts, fetal endothelial cells, maternal endothelial cells, and decidual cells. Results: The expression of HIF-1A in placental decidual cells of mother with FGR (21/42, 50%, p < 0.0001), PE (25/39, 64.1%, p < 0.0001) and PE with FGR (12/35, 34.3%, p < 0.0001) were significantly increased compared to controls (1/42). Intriguingly, HIF-1A expression was significantly reduced in the placental cytotrophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblasts of mother with PE and FGR (2/35, 5.7%) compared to PE alone (11/39, 28.2%) (p = 0.0142). Conclusions: We found that increased HIF-1A expression in the nuclei of decidual cells was observed in the mothers of babies with FGR, both with and without PE. While HIF-1A expression in the cytotrophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblasts was significantly reduced between mothers with PE and mothers with PE and FGR. This suggests HIF-1A expression might play a role in the pathogenesis of FGR.